Chalmette Arc a tremendous resource for community

A year ago, The Arc of Greater New Orleans' Chalmette Community Center was just a hope and dream. Now, it is both a center providing a higher quality of life for adults with intellectual disabilities and a community resource.

St. Bernard Parish Government employees made Easter boxes for the members of The Arc of Greater New Orleansâ Chalmette Community Center. The baskets contained Easter treats and items used by The Arc such as art supplies, tissues and hand sanitizers.

The Arc, 3700 Jean Lafitte Parkway, is open Monday through Friday and is serving about 26 members.

"The land is being developed with flowers, vegetables, and a lot of trees have been planted," said Polly Campbell, one of the Arc's most active and passionate volunteers. "Already, the vegetable garden is able to harvest kale and carrots, and members are in the process of planting squash and potatoes."

Campbell said the vegetables are sold on site or sent to farmers' markets in neighboring parishes.

"It is amazing how far they have come with just a year out," she said.

On May 22 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., The Arc in Chalmette will host its first workshop, a Composting 101 class.

According to Campbell, the workshop will give the people of St. Bernard Parish "support to compost themselves or to participate in the composting at The Arc."

People can bring things such as eggshells and coffee grinds for Arc members to use to create rich soil. Those interested in learning about drop-off protocol should attend the workshop.

Registration for the class is $5. Space is limited to 30 people. The event is being sponsored by the St. Bernard Community Foundation.

The Arc has received plenty of support during its first year of growth. However, Campbell said there is still more work to be done for The Arc's Chalmette location to be a self-sufficient center that gives back to its members and the parish.

Campbell said their upcoming series of workshops can "get people use to seeing The Arc as a community place."

"I want them to come to the center and see how talented they (the members) are and how much they offer our community. They are a vital piece of our community," she said. "We are richer for what they provide."

Overall, Campbell said she thinks The Arc is helping St. Bernard become more aware of its environmental possibilities.

"There is so much empty property all over," she said. "Instead of just pushing it to be cement, why donÕt we have gardens or things that people can enjoy that bring butterflies or birds?"

In addition to compost materials, Campbell said The Arc also accepts donations of wine corks and newspapers. The corks are often used in art projects that the individuals can sell and profit from, and the newspapers are donated to the animal shelter to be placed in the bottom of animal cages.

Campbell said by recycling these materials, "We can reduce the amount of waste and therefore reduce the amount of cost to parish government."

Even though The Arc is focused on giving back to the community, its members still benefit from community appreciation.

In April, St. Bernard Parish government employees made Easter baskets for the members of The Arc. The baskets contained useful goodies such as art supplies, hand sanitizers and tissue.

"Members of The Arc were very grateful," Campbell said.

In late March, St. Bernard Parish United Way Leadership Council representatives participated in a United Way Day of Caring at The Arc. Campbell said more than 30 people donated their time by working around the center painting, wire-brushing, priming, restoring the recycled iron fence from the former St. Mark Catholic Church, changing out old electrical outlets, and building six picnic tables out of cypress tree trunks that were donated.

The United Way Day of Caring was possible thanks to the leadership of Drew Heaphy of the St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District, who also serves as the United Way council chairman, and a generous donation from Associated Terminals, who donated supplies and the use of tools, equipment and manpower for the day. The event also was held in partnership with the St. Bernard Community Foundation. Other volunteers were from Todd's Technology, Chalmette Refining, St. Bernard Parish Public Schools, Boasso America, Nunez Community College and Valero Refinery.

Campbell said The Arc's next project will be restoring Sterling Hall, a recreational facility that was part of Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

"It will continue to be a multipurpose building," Campbell said. The stage and gym will be restored, and it will also house offices for adults with intellectual disabilities programs.

Thank you, The Arc and its volunteers, for helping our people and our parish.

Becca Chapman lives in Chalmette and writes about people and events in Chalmette. She can be reached at chalmettematters@gmail.com or 504.481.6516.